Chapter 5

I rented an apartment near my workplace.

But I still spent most of my time at the office.

After all, there were all sorts of artifacts, silks, and ancient texts uncovered from archaeological digs.

Researching these alone consumed a tremendous amount of energy.

During this time, Seraphina sought me out many times.

She angrily accused me of selling the house, demanding to know where she was supposed to live.

My stepmother also berated me, calling me an unfilial son with a heart of stone.

I ignored all of this.

Until one night when I was returning to my rental apartment late.

Seraphina was waiting for me under the streetlight downstairs.

She was dressed in thin clothing and had noticeably lost weight in the few days since I'd last seen her.

As soon as she saw me, she hurriedly ran over and grabbed my hand without a word.

"Come home with me."

Her voice was nasally, and her hands were ice-cold. I had no idea how long she'd been standing there.